Improvement in breech-loading ordnance



. v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. T. L FORTUNE.

Breech-Loading Ordnance.

Patented July 26, 1864,

\miiiiil Inventor:

T. L FORTUNE.

Breech-Loading Ordnance.

N0. 43,655. Patented July 26, 1.864.

. g Witnesses:

M Q m N. PETERS, PHOTD-LITHDGRAFHER. WASHINGTON. D O.

UNITED STATES P TENT OFFICE.

THOS. L. FORTUNE, OF WESTON, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND GEO. T. OHALLISS.

-IMPROVE MENT IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 13,655, dated July 26, 1863.

large size.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top view of a cannon with my improvement, the breech being opened to receive a charge.

Fig. 2 is a View of the inside of the cap or hinged portion of the-breech detached. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the breech when open, as in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detached and enlarged view of the hinged gate provided with a springplate or gas-check for better closing the joint. Fig. 5 is a vertical secti on through the axis of the gun.

The barrel of my cannon is cast and bored in the usual manner, one half of the breech, A, being cast with the barrel A, andthe other half, B, forming a hinged cap, as seen inthe drawings. This cap B has a semicircular projection, O, to fit the half-bore O in the position A of the breech, and also a larger semicircular projection, O", which locks intoa corresponding groo've, L, of the other half of the breech. This projection 0 holds the cap B and gate G in place when closed, and four studs, D D E E, by entering corresponding cavities, D D E E, or recesses in, the cap B, give additional strength and security to the joint.

Under the capB is ahinged'gate, G. (Seen raised or open in Fig. 3.) When closed a circular projection on this gate fits into the bore of the gun with a double shoulder, as seen in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. The joint of this gate with the gun has the additional security of a springplate, H, which is gently pressed forward against the shoulder h, to guard the joint from the escape of gas. The gate is hinged to projections I, which are cast solid with the barrel of the gun. When the gate G is closed or shut down, the cap B comesjdown over it and embraces'the same, leaving no vacant space under the cap between it and the gate.

My gun is cast so as to receive bands of the desired width andthickness, in order not to increase the size of the gun. One of these bands, K, is brought up to a shoulder, 70, on the barrel, as seen in Figs. 1 and 5. The bands are made of steel, put on whenhot, and shrunk to their places. One of the bands, M, is hinged together, but being closed is heated and shrunk to its place,so as to form an efficient band when closed, and also to serve as a hinge when opened. This hinged band M overlaps the joint between the cap B and the barrel. When closed, the band is fastened by a rod or other suitable means.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

The gate G, incombination with the cap B, for opening and closing the breech of a firearm, substantially as set forth.

THOS. L. FORTUNE.

Witnesses:

DANIEL BREED, HARVEY J. EMERY. 

